By Uzair Adam Imam
The future of some graduates of the Basic School of Midwifery in Dambatta hangs in the balance, as they were left without licences to practice their profession years after graduation.
The graduates recount their ordeal at the hands of the school management, saying that they have been left stranded for years.
The graduates accused the school management of “intentionally dragging them into a dilemma and academic standstill.”
A former student of the institution said that the licence “is the only thin veil that serves as a blockade to his future.”
Many of the former students of the institution decried alleged widespread corruption by the school officials, whom they accused of giving licences to only the well-connected.
The Daily Reality gathered that the licence that is issued to students upon successful completion of their studies is the only barrier between students and multiple job opportunities or university admissions waiting at their doorstep.
Our prayers for intervention were in vain.
The students said that all their efforts to seek intervention from the state government and relevant authorities were in vain, a development that exacerbates their condition.
Mukhtar Ali (not real name) said that some of the students had paid the amount prescribed by the institution to secure the licence, but they have neither received the licence nor a refund of their money.
However, it was gathered that among the students struggling to secure their licences were the first set of students at the institution who had completed their studies eleven years ago.
Members of the batch of graduates said that they had sought intervention from the immediate past administration in the state and the school management, but also agencies like the Human Rights Agency and Anticorruption, but the outcome was not fruitful.
A female student who preferred anonymity said that it was unfortunate that her future was being unjustly destroyed despite the huge investment her parents made in her studies.
She said, “Despite paying for the licence over the years, I have yet to secure it. However, some of my friends who have connections have already secured theirs.
“My fear is that some selfish individuals have gone with our money because the school management denied knowledge of our payment for the licence, even though we have paid. We went back to the place we made the payment, but the whole thing is confusing,” she added.
Another student told our reporter that the school management put pressure on them to pay for the licence as soon as they graduated.
“A very high pressure was mounted on us to pay this money by the school management. We paid N38,000 each. However, three years later, we are yet to secure the license.
“We are confused as to where the problem is. We are urging the Kano State Government to please come to our aid so that we can get our licence and move on.”
Sadiya Ibrahim, not her real name, said that she is totally disappointed by the development, saying her future is being robbed.
Sadiya Ibrahim said, “My fear is that the school management may require us to pay another N38,000, despite the receipt we showed them to prove that we had made our payment.
“The whole thing is so disturbing that the government should please intervene and talk to the relevant authorities about the development,” she stated.
Students with connections not involved
The students disclosed that other students who have connections with some politicians have already secured their licences, as many of them have started practicing or got admissions into the university.
They also stated that daughters of influential businessmen or traditional rulers grab their licences immediately after they graduate from school.
We are working to address the issue— Management
When contacted, Hajiya Asiya Sani, the principal of the School of Midwifery Dambatta, said that the school management has been working tirelessly to address the issue, saying their efforts have started to see the light of day.
She said some of these licences are now ready and will soon be distributed to the owners.She explained that the problem is a vital one that the school management has devoted its time to addressing.
She said, “I am aware of the problem. However, as I am speaking with you now, the Ministry of Health is involved in addressing the problem.
As it is known to everyone, including the students, we don’t give this license. Instead, we also applied for it.”